Karen L. (Richards) Walton

The staff of Heishman Funeral Home/Valley Funeral Service sends condolences to the family of Karen L. Richards Walton. Karen L. (Richards) Walton went to be with the Lord, Thursday, May 14, 2026 after a three-year battle with advanced congestive heart failure and related issues. She was sleeping peacefully when the Lord called her. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Valley Funeral Service in Edinburg. Pastor Peter Mitchell will officiate. Burial will be Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in Culpeper National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. She was born in Atlantic City, NJ on August 3, 1950 to M. Lyle Richards and Minnie S. Richards, she grew up in West Creek, NJ and graduated from Southern Regional High School, in Eagles Wood Township, NJ where she was on the school newspaper. During the summers, she worked as a switchboard operator for NJ Bell and enjoyed riding her horse JACK. Upon graduation she entered Albert Einstein Medical Center where she studied nursing. Upon graduating with a Diploma in Nursing she entered the US Navy as a registered nurse. After attending Officer Training in New Port, RI., she was assigned to the US Naval Regional Medical Center #5 in Philadelphia, PA. While there she worked on the orthopedic ward and in the OR. While stationed there she met her future husband, Charles E. “Charlie” Walton. She was discharged from the NAVY in 1974, attaining the rank of Lt. Junior Grade. Karen and Charlie were married in West Creek, NJ on June 23, 1973. Karen’s nursing career spanned 40 years during which time she worked in orthopedics, OR, ER, home health and public health in PA, NJ, ND, MD and Virginia. In 1984 she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Stockton State College, NJ. During her career she also worked in supervisory and director positions. She retired from the Virginia Department of Health in 2011. She served on several boards including Hospice of St. Mary’s County, Shenandoah County ARC, Shenandoah County DSS and she was on the founding Board of Family Promise of Shenandoah County. She also served on the Board of Chapter 936, Vietnam Veterans of America. After retirement she became a member of the Woodstock Lions Club, where she made many new friends. She enjoyed gardening, telling Charlie where and how to plant (Lol), photography and traveling. She especially enjoyed the brotherhood of the Lions and VVA. She loved Ginger, Max, Zeek and Huck and is enjoying their company now. She is preceded in death by her parents CWO 2 M. Lyle Richards and Minnie S. Richards (Woodstock, VA), parents in law Bowman D. Walton and Edna M. Walton (Williamstown, NJ), maternal and paternal grandparents, her sister and brother in law Katherine M. Morris and Robert E. Morris, and her brother-in-law William J. Nichols (Dunn, NC). She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Charles “Chuck” Walton of Woodstock, VA; her son, Andrew P. Walton and grandson Tucker Rex Walton of Gainesville, VA; her daughter, Casey Walton Webster and son-in-law Zach Webster of Woodstock, VA; grandsons, John and Paddy Webster of Woodstock, VA. She is also survived by many friends who will miss her and the light she brought into their lives. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shenandoah Community Foundation, Chapter 936 VVA Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 350. Strasburg, VA 22657. Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.

Karen L. (Richards) Walton

August 3, 1950 - May 14, 2026